BANGOR DAILY NEWS • May 13, 2020
In this crisis time, no major economic sector in Maine is more threatened — or more in need of a resilience strategy — than tourism and recreation. Just last year, Maine tourists spent more than $6 billion, supporting more than 100,000 jobs and contributing more than $600 million to state revenues. The current crisis is set to be far more devastating than the 2007-09 Great Recession, when it took five years for tourist numbers, visitor spending and employment to return to pre-recession levels. For the coming summer tourism season we should revive a marketing idea from the last recovery period: the “ Staycation.” In 2020, Mainers fortunate enough to have good health and secure incomes should make a special effort to explore rural Maine’s many attractions — natural, cultural, adventure and culinary. And spend! ~ David Vail